After an adult child moves out, reclaim the house.

Organizing, plain and simple, is the mantra. Less stuff translates to more room in which you can move, breathe and relax.

The memories and keepsakes of childhood need a place to go. Bite the bullet, buy some boxes, start sorting, and get the job done.

"Parents keep a lot more stuff than they need to," said professional organizer Brenda Scagnetti Clement. "If the kid is there, have them help thin out the stuff. Otherwise, throw out the garbage, and box up the rest. After a few years, kids don't want half that stuff."

Organizing makes room for new luxuries - a guest room, office space, hobby area or intimate retreat.

Label boxes "dump, donate, sell or save," said Valerie Simpson, owner of Phoenix-based A to Z Organizing Pros®.

For satisfaction without frustration or insanity, devote 30 minutes a week to organizing until the job is done, Simpson suggests.

"Pretend you're selling the home and purge things," Simpson said. "If you don't have the time and energy to have a garage sale, donate it."

Scagnetti Clement, past president of the Arizona Professional Organizers Association, suggests starting with a room that is stripped bare. Then move the furniture, paint the walls, and add stuff.

At the top of organizers' "purge list":

 Water bottles, souvenir cups, mugs, and chipped, broken, stained dishes. Food- storage containers without lids. Extra sets of china.

 Clothes, shoes or accessories the owner hasn't worn in a year or won't wear in the next six months. Multiple items of the same style.

 Multiple sets of bed sheets and table linens. Also, duplicate vacation photos.

DETAILS: www.AtoZOrganizingPros.com  or call (602) 674-2649.

Reach the reporter at (602) 444-8148.

Our President/CEO and professional organizer, Valerie Simpson provides professional organizing in Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Casa Grande, Cave Creek, Chandler, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Guadalupe, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown, Arizona